Roketsan begins serial production of UMTAS IIR

Roketsan has begun serial production of the UMTAS (Uzun Menzilli Tanksavar Sistemi) imaging infrared (UMTAS-IIR) variant, long-range anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), following successful finalisation of the development and qualification of the missile – including firing trials from a Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI)/AgustaWestland T129 ATAK helicopter – earlier this year.

"The UMTAS-IIR development is a three-phase programme: design; development and qualification; and serial production. The first two phases have already been completed, and a five-year production contract was awarded to Roketsan following the finalisation of contract negotiations with the Turkish Armed Forces [TAF] in December 2016. This will run from 2017 through to 2022," a Roketsan official told Jane's . In July, Roketsan signed a EUR24.6 million (USD29 million) sub-contract with Aselsan for the manufacture and production of the uncooled IIR seeker for the UMTAS-IIR variant.

Initial deliveries of the first contract to the TAF are expected to begin in 2018, and are scheduled for completion by 2022; the quantities of missiles have not been disclosed. In the interim, Roketsan is expecting further production contracts for the IIR variant, as well as possible additional orders for the L-UMTAS.